Moments after clinching her maiden Wimbledon title on July 12, 2025, Iga Swiatek stunned the Centre Court crowd not just with her dominant 6-0, 6-0 victory over Amanda Anisimova, but with an unexpected act: she reached for her phone on court. The 24-year-old Pole, who secured her sixth Grand Slam title in a mere 57 minutes, became the talk of the tennis world as fans and media speculated about her post-match phone check. In a post-match interview, Swiatek revealed the lighthearted reason behind her actions, offering a glimpse into her personality and the pressures she’s faced during a challenging season. The moment, blending triumph with relatability, has only deepened her connection with fans.
Swiatek’s historic win marked her first grass-court title at the Tour level and shattered perceptions that grass was her weakest surface. Known as the “Queen of Clay” for her four French Open titles, she had struggled at Wimbledon, with her best prior result being a 2023 quarterfinal. This year, however, she transformed her game, losing just one set en route to the final. Her 2025 season had been turbulent, marked by a doping controversy in November 2024, when she tested positive for trimetazidine due to contaminated medication, resulting in a one-month ban. “It was a nightmare,” she said of the ordeal, which saw her ranking drop to No. 8—her lowest since March 2022. A semifinal loss to Aryna Sabalenka at Roland Garros and a tearful Olympic semifinal defeat, where she admitted to crying for “six hours,” added to her challenges. Yet, Swiatek’s resilience shone through at Wimbledon, where she defied expectations. “This one and the US Open for sure feel better because no one expected that,” she said, comparing her grass-court triumph to her 2022 US Open win.
Immediately after sealing the victory with a backhand winner, Swiatek collapsed in disbelief, then rose to embrace her team and family. But it was her next move—grabbing her phone—that caught everyone’s attention. Addressing the curiosity in a Sky News interview, she explained with a laugh, “Yes, it was the most distracting thing.” She revealed she was checking messages from her family, who were unable to attend the final, eager to share the moment with them. “I just wanted to see what they said, you know? They’re always there for me, even from afar,” she said, her voice tinged with warmth. The act was a spontaneous reflection of her grounded nature, a stark contrast to the intense focus she displayed during the match, where she landed 78% of her first serves and committed just 11 unforced errors compared to Anisimova’s 28.
The victory was a milestone for Swiatek, making her the youngest woman since Serena Williams in 2002 to win majors on all three surfaces—clay, hard, and grass. Her 6-0, 6-0 rout, the first Wimbledon women’s final “double bagel” since 1911, earned her the nickname “Iga’s Bakery” among fans, who noted her 32 career 6-0 sets in Grand Slams. “I didn’t even dream of winning Wimbledon because it was way too far,” she admitted, crediting her team and new coach, Wim Fissette, for believing in her more than she did herself. Fissette’s focus on her serve, which won 79% of first-serve points at Wimbledon, was pivotal. “I was serving great and just leaned on that,” she said, noting the confidence it gave her.
Swiatek also addressed her critics, particularly in Polish media, who had scrutinized her form and speculated about skipping Wimbledon. “There are so many theories right now, especially in Polish media, that are not true,” she said earlier in the season, dismissing rumors with a firm, “I’m not going to skip Wimbledon. I really want to learn how to play on grass better.” Her triumph was a resounding response, as she told reporters, “I hope they’ll just leave me alone now.” The phone moment, however, added a playful note to her victory, with fans on social media buzzing about her love for Wimbledon’s towels—she was spotted sneaking one into her bag after her quarterfinal, playfully shushing the camera.
As Swiatek prepares for the 2025 US Open, her Wimbledon triumph and candid phone check have cemented her as a fan favorite, blending fierce competitiveness with an approachable charm. “I just wanted to enjoy the time I had on Centre Court,” she said, savoring the moment that marked a new chapter in her storied career.
Leave a Reply